PENN YAN - Rosanne Killen, 70, passed away peacefully on Monday (August 16, 2010) in the comfort of her own home.
Visitation for Rosanne will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday (August 19) at Townsend-Wood Funeral Chapel, 201 East Elm St., Penn Yan. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday (August 20) at St. Michael's Church in Penn Yan with Father Robert Ring celebrating. For all those wishing to attend, Interment will commence promptly at 1 p.m. in Bath National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Smile Train by visiting them at www.smiletrain.org or making checks payable to The Smile Train, PO Box 9623, Washington, D.C. 20090.
Born in New York City on January 25, 1940, Rosanne was daughter to the late Leo and Ruth (Sheehy) White. She was raised at Long Beach, Long Island until the age of 13, when her family relocated to Yates County.
Rosanne graduated from Penn Yan Academy in 1959 and the Community College of the Finger Lakes in 1976. She enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1959, where she served her country with pride and honor. Rosanne met her husband, John E. "Jack" Killen, while stationed in California and shared 47 years of love and commitment to their family until his passing in December of 2007.
In 1961, Rosanne traded in her military boots to assume her new position as a Marine Corps wife, which meant she was both mother and father when raising her children, while the call of duty kept Jack overseas for nine of the first 13 years of their marriage. A unique woman of great strength of character, she had an independent spirit. She was a generous, selfless matriarch who devoted herself to her family and friends, especially her cherished grandchildren. Rosie will be remembered for her kind, supportive nature, generous spirit, and sense of humor. She was proud of her accomplishments and lived each moment of her life with determination. She was a communicant of St. Michael's Catholic Church and a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish.
Rosanne is survived by her children, Sean E. Killen, Iman Ruth (Mohamed) Harrak, Patrick (Anne) Killen, Colleen Killen; grandchildren, Michael (Angela) Killen, Sean M. Killen, and their mother, Connie; Ahmed, Rashid, Kauthar and Zakaria Harrak and Mary Katherine and Daniel Patrick Killen; brothers, L. Ryan White, Stewart White and Dr. Robert (Regina) White; sister, Ruth A. (Martin) Maltz; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fltimes/obituary.aspx?n=rosanne-killen-white&pid=144790993#sthash.U07pC61A.dpuf